Camera-shutter.



' Patented May 7, 1901. w. c. DICKERSON.

CAMERA SHUTTER.

(Applilt'mn filed Dec 26, 1900. (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet witness as Warren GDZCk'TSOIZ amoe'n toz ms Noam: Prrni ca, vuoro-Lrrua. wuumamn. o. c.

No. 673,706. Ptentad rm 7, l90l. w. c. mcxznsou,

CAMERA SHUTTER.

kpplication filed Due. 28, 1900 No Model.) 3 Shoots-Shoat 3.

we NORRIS PETERS co PHOTO-141110.. wasmunrom By C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WARREN O. DIOKERSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CAM ERA-SH UTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 673,706, dated May 7, 1901. Application filed December 26, 1900. Serial No. 41,076. the model To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LWARREN C. DICKERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing'at New York,in the borough of Bronx and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Camera-Shutters, of which the shutter for either instantaneous or time exposure without disturbing or opening the shutter. I I

My invention includes the parts and the constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is l a front elevation of a camera-shutterembody-Z ing myinventio'n. Fig. 2is an enlarged elevation of the upper front portion of the shutter, showing the covering-plate removed and with the slide held in a middle position in its opening.

slot or guide. Fig- 3 is a similar View showing the rear portion of the shutter with the covering-plate removed. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line {L 4 of Figs. 2

and 3. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are details to be referred to. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3. and showing shutter closed and set ready for Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2,

v showing the position of the parts when the shutter is closed and set.

In the preferred construction of my shutter I employ a framework which includes a vertical central plate 10 and front and rear caps or cover-plates 12 13, which are removably secured by screws orotherwise to afford ready access to the inclosed operating parts,the said central plate furnishing the means for supporting the several mechanisms or mechanical instrumentalities for the operating parts or the shptter. The plate10 is formed or provided with acentrally-located guide, which is herein shown as'in the foi'in of a slot 14, the end walls of which determi'ne'the extent of movement of the slide or block 15, which controls and imparts movement to the sev eral features hereinafter recited.

The shutter members 16 are disposed upon one side ot"the plate 10 and control the exposure-opening in the usual manner, and they are used with any form oflens, dia= phragm, and adjunctive parts, which consti .tute essential parts of a complete photographic camera. These features are not shown, as they constitute no part of my present invention, although in Fig. 1 I illustrate a scale at 17, over which a pointer 18 is move able for adjusting the usual diaphragm in the well-known manner. To the front of the shutter-frame is also secured thepistons and cylinders, shown generally at 19 and operated by air-pressure introduced through the usual tube and bulb, a portion of the tube being shown at 20 in Fig. 1.

The lower portions of the shutter members do not depart materially from those usually employed; but the upper portions are cut away or greatly reduced to form comparatively narrow extensions 16, the upper extremities of which are pivotally held by screws or otherwiseat 21, While another portion of said extensions is formed with latches, as 22, adapted to engage with catches 23, formed as members of bell-crank levers 24:, which are sprin g-pressed,as at 24:,and pivoted at their angles to the plate 10, one of these levers being upon each side of the central guide or slot in said plate, and each of said bell-crank levers havingits lower portion provided with a pivoted spring-pressed pawl 25 or equivalent part, adapted for engagement with the slide or block 15, as I will hereinafter indicate,'which block, it will be underthe slide or block 15 by means of "links 27,

whose outer ends are longitudinally slotted at 28 and secured to the shutter members by studs 29, fixed (say by screwing) in blocks 30, located between the said shutter members I as a complete downwardmovement of the slide the outer end of the slot 28 is substantially round, and from this circular openingthe slot is contracted and leads inwardly, anfdthe pin projects through a central slot 33 in the'front and the p late'i0zand acted upon by springs '31, as shown'in Fig. 3.

As shown in the detail Figs. 5, 6, and 7,

or stud 29 is formed with flat faces at 29,

which enables the stud to travel in the con-' tracted portion of the slot without danger of the shutter being opened in the act of setting it. On the slideris ,a stud or pin 32, which plate or cap' of the shutter-frame before alluded to, a second stud 34 or other projectionzbeing fixed to the cap or cover-plate 1 2,

as shown in Fig. 1.. Referring now toFig...3,v it will be apparent that whenthe fingers grasp the studsorvpins 32 34, Fig. 1, and pressureis brought 'uponthe stud 32 the-slideor block; 15 is forced downward, carrying with it the;

,. links 27,

' ,In-"Fig. 3 thepositionof the-parts indicate the slide as readyto move upward and the s a I s at he ink$ 7may stslide ee y on shutter isopen; but it will .be understood that in the first or downward movement of the slide'fromthe upper limits of the slot 33 f the slottedlinksare straightened out inthe manner of' the'well-known toggle-lever and the fla -faced .pert onse t s ud a e n,

new th t e reduee portions 0f the slots 28,

h Studs. v

' "In the downward movement of theslide and as the linksstraighten out-they turn the studs 29anid their b ocks, .30 u nti1 jus be o e t e .the springs return thelblocks and tul'l lthe studs untilthe-flat-faced portionof the studs ,will'standcrosswise the circular portionof' the slots, which prevents thesestudsagaiu entering the slots until thisposition-of parts ;.is altered, as when'theslide has returned to its normal position.

It will be understood that inthe described position ,otpartstheparts 2 2 and 24 are directly engaged, and as the lower portion of the slide'.15 strikesthepawls25 the levers 24 are rocked and theirengagement broken with theshutter members, only tobereengaged by the slide completing its return movement. Owing to the studs being prevented from again entering the sl0ts,.the links cannot now movewithout opening the shutter,.and the shutter-sections cannot open until the operating devices on the opposite side of the shutter'are setin motion. When the latter are operated, as ,I will presently describe, the

'links force the shutteresections apart to permit the necessary exposure. On the opposite .or front side of the shutter-frameplate 10 is disposed the mechanism which is actuated torelease the shutter.

As shown in Fig. 2,,the ,airvpiston 19 has a pivotal connection witha lever 40, fulcrumed at 41 to the plate 10 and having a toe-piece 42, which engages an arm 43 of a lever 44, -fulorumed at 45 and having an arm 46 with a pin,

against whichasprin gZ4'7'bears. This lever 44 also has a lug ortoe-piece '48 at its upper end,which is adapted to engage a horizontally- -sliding-piece 49, guided between pins 50 or equivalent means and pivotally suspended from an-arm of averticalplate 51, having a slot 52 engaging a fixed pin 53, whereby said plate is slidably mounted, ashoulder-or portion 54, which is adapted to pass over the top edge'of thezslide or block 15 This plate 51 has and lie in the path thereof, so as to form a, i

check for the block on its upwardmovement, said sliding plate 51'being acted on by a spring 55, whichtends to swing the plate inward, so I that when thetop edge .of .the block or. slide 15. passes theshould eror portion 54 the spring 55 projects this shonlderinto'the path ofthe slide 15 to check thelatter, on-its upward movement, therebyleaving theshutter open f r t eexp ur I As shown in Fig.2, theslide or block '15 is :ne h da and t is ote ed po tio is e gaged byta spring-pressed pawl 57, fulcrumed 11130. theeX 11 the' e e 40andadapted tosecure the sjlideor block in a locked 'positionzwit he hu e elosed, .said' ever hav ins ven n' o ud 8;w hic is 'eng eidby' to po t o 4 .of the le e 4 .10 release the pa fr m-t enoteh efi when th ver40 s etn ted e e byh nd rbye rep ances such as shown, and immediately onthe release of, the slide orlblock15itsspring 59 end in use thebl ek to be q ck y e eroo vVated until its v:progress[is checke by h shoulder or portion 54 5f thesliding plate 5 1,

the first'contact ofithe slide or block 15 with .theplate 5T1, which-isthen in its lowered position,resi ilting in'the latter moving upwardly, because of its pin-andeslot,conneetion,thereby elevating thesliding piece 49 until it is brought .into'line with the toe-piece 48of the lever44, when the next ail-impulse or movement of the lever 40.,and other parts necessary to closethe sh utter-after exposure ea uses the lever 44 to press upon thesli'ding piece49,

and consequently move the sliding plate'5l until its shoulder,5.4 is moved out of contact with the top edge .of the slideor block, thereby enabling the latterto complete its movement.

.Notwishing to take atime picture, a lever 60, fulcrumed to the plate 10 and having an operating finger-piece, is operated so that its inner end rides against the arm 51 of the plate 51*and swings the latter outwardly, so that its shoulder 54 is held to one side of the 'line of travel of the slide or block, thereby enabling the latter to make a complete move- .ment from one end of the slot or guide to the other; Thus the lever 60 serves a very usefnlpurpose in connection with the other described features in that it permits the full travel of the slide within the limits of its slot or guideand at such speed as the operator may have set the shutter.

In addition to the foregoing features my IIO improved shutteris provided with means'for fixing the speed of the slide as the operator may determine. These means are illustrated in-Figs. 1 and 2, and consist'of a :plate'70, pivoted to the upper portion of the slide or block and provided with a slot 71, the! walls of which diverge from the inner toward the outer end, said outer end having a pivotal connection with a; plate or bar 72, carried by the piston 19of the air-cylinder on that side of the shutter. A vertically-disposed lever 73 behind theplate carries a stud 74, which engages with the walls of the divergent slot or opening 71, said lever having a pin or stud 75 on one of its faces,while the lower end, of said lever 73 has a lug working in a slot 76 in the. front" cover-plate 12, struck from the pin or stud 75 .as a center, an appropriate scale 77 being marked' adjacent to the slot and over which worksa 'pointer78 on the lower end of the lever 73,

said lever being maintained Within the slot with sufficient friction to operatively hold it by means of a spring 79 and the upper end of the lever extending through a slot 80 in the top of the cover-plate and beingnormally pressed outwardly by means of a spring 81,.

as shown in Fig. 2. Between the lever 73 and the plate 10 isa horizontally-disposed lever the path of movement'of the slide or block 15, and whenthe latter in ascending strikes this short arm of the lever 82 the said-lever is rocked about its fulcrum until the latch85 disengages with the lug or'pin 75, when the spring 81 forces the lever 73 to one side and out of the wayto enablethe shutter to then close instantaneously. 7

The adiustmentof the lever 76, asby setting its pointer to the desired gradation. on the scale, fixes the speed of closing the shutter members. When the lower or pointer end of the lever-73 is moved, say, to the right, the stud 74 rides under the upper inclined wall of the slot or opening 71, and thus pushes the outer end of the plate 70 upwardly and correspondingly elevates the piston 19 on itscylinder and disposes the stud74 in the wider portion of the slot or opening 71, so

that when the slide is released'from its set position it travels at full speed until the lower wall of the opening 71 strikes the stud 74 from below, and thus becomes the fulcrum about which the plate 70 turns, and the outer end of the plate 70 being connected with the air-cushion in the cylinder 19 the latter resists the movement of the plate 70 and now retards the movement of the slide and the closing of the shutter. n I

If extra speed is desired the shutter members, I provide for this by an extra spring 180, which when not in use is held upon the exterior of the cover-plate 12, but when desired for use has its coiled end 18l-placedover a stud 182, Fig. 2, exposed through a slot covered by a pivoted plate or closure 183, Fig. 1, and its free end bent into engagement with the stud or pin 32 on the slide or block 15.

While I have illustrated and described a very practical and useful construction of parts for carrying out the novel functions of my device, I do not limit myself to the precise details, as these may be modified within reasonable li mits without materially altering the scope of the invent-ion or impairing the results.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In aphotographic shutter, thecombination of a shutter, a latching mechanism. for holding the shutter normally closed, a reciprocating mechanism for tripping the latching mechanism in one directionot' the movement of' said reciprocating mechanism, and there-- by setting theshutter in operative position, means for holding the reciprocating mechanism at the completion of said movement, and means for opening the shutter by the return movement of the reciprocating mechanism.

2. In a photographic shutter, the combination of movable normally-locked shutter members, a slide adapted to unlockv the shutter members and set the shutter ready for exposure, Without exposing the light opening,

means engagingand holding the slide at the.

completion of its movement, and connections between the slide and shutter members for opening the latter by'the return movement f of the slide. r I

3. In a photographic shutter, the combination of pivoted shutter members, locking devices for holding the members normally closed, a slide and connections therefrom to each shutter. member said slide traveling in the path of and releasing the locking devices from connection with the shutter members whereby the shutter is set in operative position, means for holding the slide at the completion of its movement in one direction, and

means for releasing the slide, said connections having a, movement independent of the shutter members in one direction of movement and a movement in unison with the shutters during the return movement.

' 4. In a photographic shutter, thecombination of movable shutter members, a slide, slotted link connections between the slide and means whereby the slide audits connections may release the latching devices and thereby set the shutter while the latter remains closed,

latching devices" for holding theslide in p-' erative position, and a trip mechanism'tor releasing the latching devices and simultaneously permitting the opening of the shutter.

6. In ad shutter, the combination ofmovable shutter. members, a slide, slotted-link connections between the slide and shutter members, means permitting the links to slide freely on the shutter members without im- 2O anism and a slotted-link connection between.

the same and the shutter members-whereby parting movement to the latter, in one direction of movement of the slide, and locking the links to the shutter. members-on the return movement of the slide, and engaging and releasing devices for the slide.

7. In a shutter and in combination with the movable members thereof, means for latchingthe shutter against opening, a slide mechthe slide may; b'eimoved independent of the V shutter to setthe latter, said shutter-latching devices disposed in the path of the slide and actuated by the latter to unlatch the shut-.

' 'ter, means for holding the slide in a set positionand means for releasing the slide to-ena jable it to open the shutter. *3 3 s movable mejmbers'thereof, means for latch-v ing'flsaid members against opening, a slide 8. "In a shutter andin combination with the mechanism for tripping-the shutter-latching devices-and placing-the shutter in operative position forexposure, and means for locking the slide in a set position,-means connecting I the slide with the shutter members'and means .forreleasing a shutter.) 49

the slide to allow it to open the 9. Ina shutter and'incombination with the j movable members thereof,'devices for latch- I ing the saidmembers against opening, a slide m'echanism movable inthe' path of and adapt-.

ed to tripthe shutterlatching devices, means for locking the slide mechanismagainst re- ,turn movement, a link mechanism between the slide and shutter members and means for releasing the slide mechanism whereby the movable members thereof, provided withlink mechanism first opens the shuttersand then closes them into engagement'with the shutter-latching,devices.

10. In a shutter and in combination with the movable members thereof, provided with latches, spring-pressed leversadapted to engage'said latches and'hold the shutter closed during the setting operation, a slide movable I in the path of and adapted to trip said levers and thereby release the shutter. members from their locked position, a-link connection between the slide and the shutter members,

means for ,holding the slide in its operative position and meansqforreleasing the slide to enable the links "to first open the shutter and then, close it, and again latch the members thereof. v 'v l1. In a shutter,and in combination with the latching devices. I

arm provided with a catch to engage the latch of the companion shutter member, to hold the member closed, and having a second arm provided with a spring pressed pawl, a slide levers to release'the shutter-latches, oppositely-extending links connecting the shutter members with the slide, means for holding the slide set in operative positionand means for releasing the slide.

12. A photographic shutter comprising ism, a substantially toggle-lever connection latches, the bell-crank levers each having onev f movable in the path of the pawl and adapted to engage the same and trip the bell-crank.

"8 0 movable shutter members, a slide mechane between the slide and shutter members, shuttor-latching mechanism in the path of movement of the-slide, means for holding the slidein a set or operative position, and means for.

releasing the slide, said toggle-lever 'c'onnec-f tion having a slotted connection'with'the v shutter. members whereby the slide is moved into operative position without opening. the

shut-terand releases the shutter from its latch; v ing devices, and upon the release of the slide the lever connection first opens'the shutterand then closes 'ituand movesthe members engagement with thethereof into another 13. In a photographic shutter, the movable membersth'ereof; latchingidevices for hold? y ing them closed duringthe setting of the shutter; a slide; "lin ks pi-voted to the slide andex-f tending therefrom to each-shutter member,

said links havingin their outer ends slots of two diameters; turnable pins carried by the shiitter members and having flattened portions slidable with relation to the narrower portions of the slots in the links whereby the slide movesin one direction without moving the'shutter and the flattened portions of the pins enterthe enlarged portion of the slots in the links; means for turningthe pins so that they are prevented from again entering the narrow portions of the slots, and the shutter is directly connected with the slide, said slide automatically releasing the shutter-latching devices; means for holding the'slide in operative position, and means for releasing the slideto enable it to first open and then again I close and latch the shutter. v v I 1 i '14. In a photographicshutter thecombination of a shutter and means normally latching" the same, a reciprocating slide, connections between the sameand the shutter, -for opening the latter,'and means actuated by' the slide for unlatching the shutter, said slide having a notch, a pawl adaptedto engage said notch and hold the slide depressed andin'an Y operative position, and means-forwithdrawing the pawl'and thereby releasing'the slide.

- 15. In a photographic shutter, the combina:

tion of a shutter, means for maintaining the shutter closed during its setting operation, a reciprocating slide, devices actuated thereby during one movement of the slide to release the shutter without allowing it to open, means actuated by the slide for opening the shutter during a return movement of said slide, and a latching device engaging the slide in its first movement and holding it locked with the shutter ready for exposure, and said actuating device adapted to release the slide to permit it to make its return movement.

16. The combination with a shutter and means for normally holding it against opening, a reciprocating spring-pressed slide and means actuated thereby for releasing the sh utter, means for locking the slide and holding the shutter against opening when thus released whereby the shutter may be set without opening, and means for releasing the slide to enable it to open the shutter.

17. The combination with a shutter and means for normally holding it against opening, a reciprocating spring-pressed slide and means actuated thereby for releasing the shutter, means for locking the slide and holding the shutter against opening when thus released whereby the shutter may be set without opening, means for releasing the slide to allow it to-open the shutter, a check in the path of the return movement of the slide for momentarily stopping its return, while the shutter is open, and means for withdrawing the check to allow the slide to completeits return movement and close the shutter.

18. The combination of a shutter, a reciprocating spring-pressed slide and means for locking the slide at the completion of one movement, means for releasing the slide and means for opening the shutter by the return of said slide, and a check comprising a pivoted spring-pressed plate adapted to be projected into the path of the slide to temporarily retard the latter while the shutter is open, for time exposures, and means withdrawing the check to enable the slide to complete its return and close the shutter.

19. The combination of a shutter, a recip rocating spring-pressed slide, means for locking the slide substantially at the completion of one movement, means for releasing the slide, means for opening the shutter by the return movement ofthe slide, a check movably secured and means whereby it may be moved into the path of the slide to temporarily retard the same while the shutter is open, for time exposures, and means for holding the check out of the path of the slide for instantaneous work.

20. The combination of a vertically-reciprocating slide, a shutter and connections between the slide and shutter, for opening the latter by the former, slideholding and slidereleasing devices, and a vertically movable plate pivotally secured so that it may be projected laterally into the path of movement of the slide or held out of said path.

be projected laterally into the'path of movement of the slide and means whereby'the plate may be set for either time or instantaneous work.

22. The combination of a reciprocating slide, a shutter and connections between it and the slide, slideholding and slide-releasing devices, means for checking the return movementof the slideor permittingitto make a full return movement, including a piece movable into and out of the path of movespeed-indicating devices.

24. The combination of a reciprocating slide, a shutter and connections between it and the shutter, slide-holding and slide-releasing devices, and a speed mechanism for the slide including a plate having a diverging opening, a spring-pressed lever having a stud to operate within said opening, means whereby the lever may be adjusted so that its stud may occupy different positions in the opening, and speed-indicating devices, a springpressed fulcru med lever having an arm inthe path of the slide so as to be actuated thereby, said fulcrumed lever having a catch to engage a pin on the first-named lever and to release said pin when the second-named lever is tripped by the slide.

25. The combination of a shutter, a reciprocating slide, a slotted plate serving as a guide for the slide, shutter-actuating devices on one side of the plate, and connected with the slide, said slide having a notch, slide-0perating devices on the opposite side of said plate and including a fulcrumed lever 'having a toepiece, a pawl pivoted to said lever and adapted to engage the notchin the slide, for holding said slide in'an operative position, a second fulcru med lever, spring-pressed and havinga toepiece and a portion engaged by thetoepiece of the first-named lover, a vertical plate movable into and out of the path of the slide, and having also a vertical movement, and a substantially horizontal member pivotally hung from the plate and normally held out of line with thetoepiece of the second-named lever, said vertical plate adapted to be moved vertically by the slide to bring its horizontal member in line with the toepiece of the second-named lever whereby a succeeding movement of the said lever withdraws the plate out of the path of the slide.

26. In a shutter, the combination of a slot- IIO ted guide, a vertical slide, slide-engaging demy hand in presence of two snbscribing witvices, a shutter and mechanism for actuating nesses. the same, and means for movin the slide v I into a set position consisting of a pin on the WARE-EN DIOKERbON' 5 slide and a second pin on a fixed part of the Witnesses: shutter-casing. T. W. FOWLER,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto 'set CHAPMAN W. FOWLER. 

